West Valley gas increases outpace state

Excuse West Valley drivers for finding little comfort in the news that Arizona has the cheapest gasoline prices in the nation. Prices at the pumps in their neighborhoods are rising faster than any other part of the state.

Figures released Wednesday by AAA Arizona showed that gas prices in the West Valley rose 8 cents or more, outpacing increases in all other parts of state but still well below the national increase of more than 11 cents a gallon.

The statewide average for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline was $3.53 Wednesday, an increase of 6 cents from last week. That compares with the national average of $3.76 a gallon.

In the West Valley, AAA surveys prices at the pumps in Peoria and Glendale, where a gallon of unleaded cost $3.51 and $3.52, respectively.

Tucson drivers continue to benefit from the state's lowest pump prices at $3.46 a gallon, while in Flagstaff the average price remains the highest in Arizona at $3.65.

"There are a couple of reasons our statewide average is the lowest in the nation," said Linda Gorman, AAA Arizona public affairs manager, in statement. "First, Arizona stations are getting rid of any remaining winter fuel-blend supplies, as we switch to our more expensive summer blends this week. Secondly, demand for fuel in Southern California is down for the first time in five years. As a result, refiners are scaling back production and are moving excess product to Arizona."

Connecticut drivers pay the most for fuel in the United States at an average $3.98 a gallon. Gas prices are 67 cents higher than a year ago, and are expected to continue rising at least until the Memorial Day weekend.

This morning, AAA predicted fewer Americans will travel over the upcoming Memorial Day weekend compared to the previous year. That's the first time that has happened in six years.

The auto club's annual Memorial Day survey revealed that an estimated 37.8 million Americans will travel 50 or more miles from home over the upcoming three-day weekend, a decrease of nearly one percent or 360,000 travelers from last year.

The greatest number of Memorial Day auto travelers in the country will originate in the West with 7.6 million traveling by vehicle. The West is also expected to produce the largest number of air travelers with 1.3 million. However, despite leading the nation in auto and air travelers, the region is still slated to experience a slight decline from last year's figures.

"The modest decline we are seeing in travel for the upcoming holiday can be attributed to several factors, including record high gas prices, the slowing economy and the rising costs of other goods and services," Gorman said. "However, it is interesting to note that a significant portion of the U.S. population - 12 percent - are still planning to celebrate Memorial Day weekend away from home."

According to AAA Arizona's TripTik travel planner, the 10 most popular destinations for Arizona members include: Last Vegas, Albuquerque, San Diego, Denver, Yellowstone National Park, Oklahoma City, Okla., Santa Fe, N.M., Flagstaff, Seattle and Salt Lake City.

Focus on fuel

What oil prices did Wednesday: Light, sweet crude for June delivery fell $1.58 to $124.22 a barrel Wednesday on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The Energy Department's Energy Information Administration report said crude inventories rose by 200,000 barrels last week, less than the 2.5 million-barrel jump analysts had expected.